Back when Alfred Hitchcock filmed the famously long kissing scene for Notorious, the passionate clinch between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman was in serious danger of violating the Production Code. I’d love to see what Hitch would make of the new lesbian film Elena Undone, which set out to break the record for the longest kiss in cinema history.
The result? A steamy kiss between two women that lasts three minutes and twenty-four seconds. I know, I know: at this point, my words are just getting in the way of you watching the video. I’ll stop now.
Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the English folk legend of Robin Hood. There have been several variations since its medieval origins, but the most popular tells the story of a young nobleman (and skilled archer) whose lands and title are snatched by bad Prince/King John and his cronies. Taking the name Robin Hood, he goes to Sherwood Forest and gathers a band of "merry men" who rebel against the tyrannical powers that be, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, until good King Richard the Lionhearted comes back from the Crusades and sets things straight.
The tale has been given many film treatments over the years and director Ridley Scott has now thrown his feathered cap in the ring with an action-packed epic ('Robin Hood,' out May 14) starring his main muse Russell Crowe, with Cate Blanchett as Lady Marion. Judging from previews -- and the fact that Crowe's playing him -- this Robin is a tougher, more seasoned outlaw than his predecessors and the movie features huge battle scenes on par with previous Scott/Crowe epic 'Gladiator.'
Let's take a look at some previous depictions of the legendary outlaw and see how he's transformed over the years:
Douglas Fairbanks in 'Robin Hood' (1922)
The dashing, acrobatic Fairbanks was the silver screen's first big-budget Robin, and he literally throws himself into the role. Graceful and charismatic, Fairbanks is jaunty and good-humored as the disenfranchised nobleman-turned-warrior hero, lacking the edge that later characters would have. Similarly, the (silent) movie is bigger on spectacle than emotion -- the immense set with thousands of extras impressed the heck out of audiences back then, as did its sword fights, jousting scenes and stunts in general.
Errol Flynn in 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938)
Flynn, arguably the greatest swashbuckler ever to grace the screen, was 28 when he made this movie and his sexy, charming -- and roguish -- Robin is still considered by many to be the definitive incarnation of the medieval hero. Flynn and Olivia de Havilland (Maid Marian), aside from being two of the most attractive actors of their day, have the necessary chemistry to pull off the movie's intensely romantic scenes. The supporting cast is equally strong (Alan Hale, Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone) and the visuals, in relatively new Technicolor, are spectacular. The movie's a classic in every sense.
Frank Sinatra in 'Robin and the 7 Hoods' (1964)
Trust the Rat Pack to bring their inimitable irreverence to the RH legend (talk about your merry men). Set in 1928 Chicago, with guns replacing bows and arrows, this entertaining musical is only loosely based on the classic story, but it has several important elements: a corrupt sheriff and no-good racketeer (Peter Falk) team up to knock off the big boss; Robbo (Sinatra) refuses to relinquish his territory, gives money to an orphanage and later hooks up with the deceased boss's daughter Marian. Sure, it's not a very faithful homage, but Frank, Dean, Sammy --and Bing Crosby -- sing and dance up a storm and that's really what counts.
'Robin Hood' (1973)
For many kids, this cheerful Disney musical, with animated animal characters, was their first exposure to Robin Hood and, following tradition, the charismatic fox (voiced by Brian Bedford) who plays the hero is a handsome, debonair lead (Marian is a good-looking fox, too, natch). Most of the story's main elements are there, but the movie's obviously not going for authenticity. (Tagline: Meet Robin Hood and his MERRY MENagerie!)
Sean Connery in 'Robin and Marian' (1976)
Director Richard Lester took a very different (but faithful to legend) approach with a movie featuring a weary, middle-aged -- but still noble -- Robin, who comes back to Sherwood Forest with his faithful companion, Little John (Nicol Williamson), after 20 years abroad fighting in the Crusades. Renowned for his earlier deeds, he's once again enlisted to fight the tyrants in charge. As its title indicates, the movie is mainly a love story: Robin is reunited with Lady Marian (Audrey Hepburn), and they rekindle their romance despite the fact that she became a nun in his absence.
Kevin Costner in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' (1991)
This modernized version boasted a muddy, de-glamorized look and a thoughtful, more socially responsible hero (Roger Ebert described Costner's Robin as "sort of a populist guerilla, Che Guevara with a bow and arrow"). It was also an enormous, some say overblown, Hollywood production. The story's fleshed out, with the hero returning from the Crusades to find his father dead and his home in the possession of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman at his hambone best). With his Moorish sidekick (Morgan Freeman) and band of fellow rebels, Costner's Robin is a kind of laconic, Americanized version of the legend, complete with a not-quite-English accent.
Patrick Bergin in 'Robin Hood' (1991)
With Kevin Costner starring in the above-mentioned high-profile production, this competing project, helmed by John Irvin, wound up going straight to cable TV. Harder-edged and lower-key than 'Prince of Thieves,' complete with a grittier, no-nonsense Maid Marian (Uma Thurman), this film's considered one of the most historically accurate versions ever brought to screen. Bergin, sporting a heavy-duty 'stache, is a dark, moody -- yet charming -- Robin, befitting the movie's general tone.
Cary Elwes in 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' (1993) Mel Brooks predictably takes all sorts of liberties with our hero and his milieu in this ultra-shticky lampoon, but Elwes, looking a bit like Errol Flynn, is perfect as the dashing Robin. He plays it relatively straight amid an impressive supporting cast that includes Dave Chappelle, Richard Lewis and Tracey Ullman. Classic Brooks touch: The character of Friar Tuck has become Rabbi Tuckman (played by Mel himself).
Vampires are fascinating creatures. They need human blood to survive and can make us their slaves. In such a scenerio, The Daily Dust have put together a list of vampires who we would most like to donate our blood to.
6. Ingrid Pitt
Much to our benefits, Ingrid Pitt landed a role in the 1971 film Countess Dracula. Ingrid plays a scantily clad vampire who slays young virgins to keep her self young and supple. A worthy cause.
5. Leonor Varela
Blade II is full of vampires the competition for hottest vampire was fierce. However, Nyssa, a sexy fighting vampire played by the hot Chilean actress Leonor Varela took the crown.
4. Monica Belluci
In the 1992 film, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Dracula has three brides. His first was played by the gorgeous Monica Belluci who stole the scene, even with two other very sexy vampires
3. Salma Hayek
IN From Dusk Till Dawn , Salma Hayek brings a vampire infested strip club to a boil with her incredible dance with a big snake. One of the sexiest scenes in cinema ever.
2. Aaliyah
The late Aaliyah played the seriously sexy vampire, Akasha, the queen of the damned.
1. Kate Beckinsale
In the 2003 film Underworld , Kate Beckinsale showed us to match sexy with horror and action, playing Selene and dressed in skin-tight black, she had to win.
Let us know in the comments below if we have missed any hot vampires.
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All you art collectors out there. Here is a chance to get a Giclee copy of some of Ian M Sherwin work. Ian is planning on doing a whole series of Marblehead, Massachusetts paintings. His work is amazing.
Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the English folk legend of Robin Hood. There have been several variations since its medieval origins, but the most popular tells the story of a young nobleman (and skilled archer) whose lands and title are snatched by bad Prince/King John and his cronies. Taking the name Robin Hood, he goes to Sherwood Forest and gathers a band of "merry men" who rebel against the tyrannical powers that be, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, until good King Richard the Lionhearted comes back from the Crusades and sets things straight.
Douglas Fairbanks
Errol Flynn
Frank Sinatra
'Robin Hood'
Sean Connery
Kevin Costner
Patrick Bergin
Cary Elwes
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